School Board receives big shot in the arm

Published: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 05:10 PM.

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County School Board on Monday received a $17,000 check to help bolster school safety.

The Okaloosa Young Lawyers Division threw a benefit concert in August for the cause. They hope to hold a similar event next year, which they think will be even more successful.

Casey Waterhouse, the group’s president, said their interest in the issue stemmed from the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last December that killed 26 people.

“We wanted to head something off that we know is a problem,” she said. “Instead of waiting for it to come here and experiencing a tragedy, we figured we’d try to do something to prevent it as much as possible.”

After the shooting, Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley placed deputies in every school in the county.

Funding the school resource officers has been controversial. Ashley has implored the School Board and county commissioners to help fully fund the effort, which he says is imperative to keep kids safe.

The School Board can spend the $17,044 on any safety initiatives it chooses, which could include the resource officers, Ashley said.

After the check was presented, Ashley thanked everyone who participated.

“I can preach to you all day, but having an independent voice coming together, they did an incredible job bringing awareness to this issue,”
Ashley said. “Know that the funds will be used to keep kids safe. Unfortunately, in the society we are in today it is all too necessary.”

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Okaloosa County School Board on Monday received a $17,000 check to help bolster school safety.

The Okaloosa Young Lawyers Division threw a benefit concert in August for the cause. They hope to hold a similar event next year, which they think will be even more successful.

Casey Waterhouse, the group’s president, said their interest in the issue stemmed from the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last December that killed 26 people.

“We wanted to head something off that we know is a problem,” she said. “Instead of waiting for it to come here and experiencing a tragedy, we figured we’d try to do something to prevent it as much as possible.”

After the shooting, Okaloosa County Sheriff Larry Ashley placed deputies in every school in the county.

Funding the school resource officers has been controversial. Ashley has implored the School Board and county commissioners to help fully fund the effort, which he says is imperative to keep kids safe.

The School Board can spend the $17,044 on any safety initiatives it chooses, which could include the resource officers, Ashley said.

After the check was presented, Ashley thanked everyone who participated.

“I can preach to you all day, but having an independent voice coming together, they did an incredible job bringing awareness to this issue,”
Ashley said. “Know that the funds will be used to keep kids safe. Unfortunately, in the society we are in today it is all too necessary.”